D'Angelo Russell opts in: Will the Lakers trade him soon?

I react to Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million player option for next season. I also cover Jaxson Hayes opting into his $2.5 million player option for next season.
I analyze Russell's future in Los Angeles, my report for The Athletic that the Lakers are "expected to be aggressive in pursuing Russell-centric trades," the rest of the West making aggressive win-now moves, why the Lakers now have a chance to do the same, what Jaxson Hayes opting in means, and more.
If you enjoy this type of NBA content, please like, comment and subscribe!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 What DLo opting in means for his future in LA
4:01 The rest of the West is being aggressive
4:51 LA has the flexibility now to make a trade
6:56 What Jaxson Hayes opting in means for LA
8:08 Outro
#losangeleslakers #lakers #dangelorussell

[@moman36]

Whoever we trade d lo for is going to be the new scapegoat, they talking about trading for kuz!! Didn’t we just go through this a couple years ago with kuz, that he doesn’t fit well with AD and bron. Lakers always treat our players like trash and when they leave and play well somewhere else we start crying to get them back. D lo isn’t the perfect player, but he’s also not a bad player if the right deal isn’t out there we should just keep him

[@dreydog5000]

The problem with getting rid of DLo is he is the only player on the team whose game is completely disconnected from Bron and AD. When Bron and AD get off to slow starts on offense DLo the only player whose offense don’t suffer. He is the bridge until everyone else settles in by the 2nd quarter.

[@cerealman4842]

0 points game 3 and a cone on defense

[@CrowKage8]

@@cerealman484223 points game 2 and 21 points game 4 (only win mind you) 2 better games > 1 bad game.

[@Andrew-pv8oz]

That’s because ham didn’t know how to actually coach without using his cheat codes (bron and AD)

[@luisnash]

At the same time when your starting PG averaged 3 and 4 ast on his last 2 playoff series playing alongside players of Davis and LeBron caliber it is clear you have a big problem in your starting lineup. I didn't like Rui averaging less boards than Reaves and missing easy baskets around the rim too.

[@dreydog5000]

don’t even make it to those playoffs games without him. I am all for upgrading. The problem is there is no one to give you 18 plus a game and play the defense required when you roll out Bron/AR/Rui in a starting lineup.

[@mingming37]

I love DLo!! ❤ Unless it is a no-brainer deal, keep him…. We need shooters and as someone else pointed out, he was our most consistent last season. With the addition on Knecht, they should move up from the bottom of the league in 3pt attempts per game while maintaining or improving (hopefully) their 3pt FG%. JJ should be able to figure out how to use shooters better (Ham not so much).

[@Jacester1324]

0 point win game 3 is not consistent….

[@drewchannel5916]

Did yall watch a different playoffs series than me or something? What’s the point of keeping someone on an expiring contract at $18 mill if you just gonna get benched in the playoffs? wtf is going on with some of yall delusional fans bro. Yall got some kinda memory loss or something?

[@mingming37]

@@Jacester1324 statistically, there will always be a bad game here and there that any player has. I’m sure we can find a few bad games each season for our two stars (AD and LeBron) too. It doesn’t mean that they aren’t consistent. by your definition, which player is consistent then?

[@mingming37]

@@drewchannel5916 my point is that unless it is a no brainer trade, we should hang on to him. I don’t see the point of trading players unless it makes us better, not just marginally better. Shaking up the roster and coaching staff every season is not a way to win. How is a team and players supposed to build chemistry? Yeah, I watched the playoffs, but I also watched the regular season also…

[@mauriceanderson1583]

Luv Dlo but he's not a great defender nor a playoff performer. Trade Dlo , Rui, Austin & 2 first round picks for Lauri & Colin Sexton. This infatuation with Austin Reeves has to stop smh

[@LakerGang2001]

D'Lo opting in is HUGE! If we don't find the right trade with him, we can keep him until the trade deadline to eat up some innings of the regular season

[@DannyFromLA23]

Straight and to the point. Subbed!

[@icecoldac3]

Coach JJ new system Knecht 4 will make a impact Vando coming back healthy Gabe coming back healthy Rui putting in work this season (per IG) AR will improve as a defender Only thing Lakers should do is pickup a Center. Then reevaluate the team near the trade deadline. IN ROB WE TRUST

[@tjboxingsports3584]

Facts ✔️

[@Cashmyke]

You trust rob?? 😂😂

[@Loopster15]

We need a big - facts

[@mrc302]

​@@Cashmyke I hear you!😉

[@icecoldac3]

@@Cashmyke all jokes aside yes. With the exception of Westbrook trade (lead by bron). All his other trades and free agent signings were pretty decent for the price tag.

[@AlexanderNevermind888]

DLo was one of my favorites when he was a rookie. He still is. I'm surprised by how dense the Lakers are. It's like they spend far too much time listening to social media. Let DLo play the point guard spot. Period. We don't need Lebron at the point. When he plays point, the other players just stand around at the 3-pt line. And to be honest there's no need to claim that Austin Reaves is "untradeable". No team in the league will give up an All-Star for him. You take Lebron off the floor, and Reaves is a bench player. He's already hit his upside, and defensively he is probably the slowest person on the team. DLo could have gone into free agency and someone would have picked him up for a good price. Teams always need point guards. They don't always need players like Austin Reaves. We need to start playing centers and stop trading for them and then benching them. Move AD to PF, which is where he wants to play anyway. It works for Milwaukee with Giannis, and Minnesota with Towns. We also need to stop scapegoating PGs. We suddenly want Schroeder back, but the media complained about him all the time. We ran DLo out of town and end up with Lonzo Ball, and we all know what a disaster that was. And I'm sorry...but hearing Austin Reaves saying the team needs to be more defensive-minded, especially considering that teams intentionally went after him after seeing how sorry his defense was, doesn't speak much for his basketball IQ.

[@crusader918]

Quigley at 17 pts a game and no All-star and no conference appearances gets 5 yrs 175 million. But DLO gets 18 million per with no long term contract. DLO has an allstar appearance and a ROY with playoff appearances. The disrespect on DLO is REALLY unfair.

[@RK-ck6pl]

angelo did not win rookie of the year not even close and he's always terrible in the playoffs.

[@No-More-Idols]

Everyone talking about Jerami Grant at this point is tripping. Did not impress last season and is overpaid. Why is everyone trying to waste assets on DFS? 🤦🏽‍♂️ Cam Johnson is chopped. Please don’t bring back Kuzma! If they trade DLo, they need to get a guard back. Also, if LeBron James does not take a pay cut, then I don’t want to hear complaints from him or his camp ever again.

[@toledoatkins]

Man shut up

[@daesama]

If I’m lebron why would I take a pay cut if the lakers don’t have the intentions on bettering the roster? U hear pelinka coming out and saying “it’s hard to make trades with the cba rules” like bro this is our gm sayin this lmao. Bron and AD should get paid as much as possible if the lakers can’t even convince them that there’s a better way to go

[@RK-ck6pl]

​@@daesama What he should have said is it's hard to make trades after Lebron used up all of our trade assets on Westbrook and ad...

[@daesama]

@@RK-ck6pl Anthony Davis got us a championship did he not? Russ wasn’t a great move but after that what excuse do the lakers have ?

[@gsk7087]

@@daesama People think LeBron gonna take a paycut to get random mediocre players lol

[@mattmohi970]

Smarter move is to keep DLo until the trade deadline to see if they need to do a mid-season adjustment to make a run. JJ might scheme things better and a little backcourt defense at the 2 helps DLo a ton and opens up the offense. Besides, who is available that would have a trade now make sense?

[@UtkarshDABoss]

Jovan, I truly love your content in the Athletic and I love watching your videos. Thank you!!

[@AnomalyB31]

Say what you want about DLO, but there’s nothing more fun to watch than when he gets hot from 3. I want to see what this team looks like now with a competent coach.

[@3rdFloor]

None of the guys you’ve mentioned make the team better. I don’t think the lakers can trade a playmaker like D Lo & with his shooting for these serviceable 3 & D guys. Grant is def no especially with his contract. They need a playmaker/ shooter in return. Not sure who that is but no way is Jeremy Grant a guy you trade D Lo for. Then what?

[@kyronjackson784]

Dlo averaged 14ppg in the playoffs Austin 16ppg not much of a difference honestly

[@MaybeLoveHate]

As he said, AR on a long term team friendly contract. If you are only keeping one of them due to fit, might as well keep the guy under contract.

[@daesama]

Efficiency is very different. And reaves hasn’t been in the playoffs 4 times in his career like Dlo.

[@Logant423]

we need dlo, if we can get anyone good, dlo can let that 3 ball fly 🔥

[@kyronjackson784]

Yes sir got our 3rd best player back

[@alexamerling79]

Ifwe don't trade him, we are essentially stuck with the same roster.

[@boguy3242]

Yes but no, better coaching schemes, healthy bigs in wood & Hayes

[@wills.9422]

@@boguy3242and still can’t stop star guards/wings 😂… why do we continue this same cycle 2 years in a row lol

[@MKIVD]

Dude was a net + in all playoff games this year except for that one game stupid Ham made him exclusively a catch and shoot and bail us in the last second of the shot clock guy. Why are you blaming DLo for the playoff collapse anyway? Blame the coaching staff for not countering Denver in the 3rd quarter of games. We had a comfortable lead by each half of the games we lost. They came back by the end of the 3rd quarters.

[@AMeshot24]

Dude plays zero defense. That gets magnified in playoffs when game play slows down.

[@Primetimes21]

He made 226 3's at 41% last season keep him

[@goncalocosta7100]

If you watched the playoffs not just the lakers but the other teams you will understand why they need to trade him

[@MadSwaqqr247]

Yall keep gassing up the regular season

[@MadSwaqqr247]

He made all those threes why won’t another team give him a contract ?

[@Primetimes21]

@@goncalocosta7100 DLo isnt making 47 million like LBJ or 40 mill like AD he isnt expected to carry the team on his back in the playoffs you blaming DLo for the 1 win vs the Nuggets in the playoffs 🙄

[@ItsStormShadow]

smokin straight crack yo

[@g.isobar989]

I have said it before go get Ivey an attacking multi facet sg and Stewart and backup Big who is gritty for Dlo JHS and Wood may have to attach a pick or swap. Det gets a shooter next to cade which they desperately need. Lal get a young sg with upside who can defend. This the trade that makes sense. I would then go after Cam Johnson using Vando Gabe Lewis pick. Vando's playoff performance from a yr ago is not enough to warrant keeping him when he can't stay healthy and has no offense. Val for full MLE sign a vet pg for backup.

[@themagnificentKK]

LAKERS" get Klay Thompson a good veteran power forward for the minimum. Lakers v Celtics 2025 NBA finals i'm calling it . What a rivalry and time to be alive

[@Lakersallday]

The west is getting better while pelinka sits on his ass and does nothing ! Kobe would've fired his ass already !! Every year all we hear is excuses from this guy ! He gets paid a lot to get things done and he ain't !!! Jeanie gotta look for someone else!

[@michaelslaughter54]

Better defender for sure!

[@eksit101]

I hope to god JJ & staff smart enough to remember Dlo damn near took nets to playoffs by himself. How darvin was allowed to give prince a bigger role than him is beyond me. Both are gone, give dlo the damn ball and let him go to work.

[@justsomeonepassingby009]

If DLO having a 38% FG + 32% 3PT shooting split for his CAREER don't tell he's not that guy. Then Pelinka needs to get fired ASAP. Last Time I checked it's CHAMPIONSHIP or bust. Not Western Conference Finals or let alone "1" win against Nuggets. SMH

[@RK-ck6pl]

😂 Championship or bust means you could lose. We lost. Comes with the territory when you have the worst coach in the league.

[@theposterking3553]

If the Lakers don't think Lauri from Jazz good enough I'm done. U offer the picks for him. An take that protection off russ trade first. He loves Lakers picks. Former Boston GM

[@Antwan-kd8qg]

Stop saying dont move Reaves he is not a starter in this league a good roll player off the yeah but they need to trade reaves if they dont want to get swept again or not make it out of the play in

[@CarlosGutierrez-qw6pr]

I can say the same thing about Dlo

[@Jacester1324]

This is a very low basketball IQ statement. Reaves is a starter and has all star potential

[@jakkicee5014]

The Lakers played that same game with THT and he riding the bench almost out the league

[@jakkicee5014]

Who else stats fell off ?

[@bobongpeenoise2826]

trade that lazy ah player and let reaves be the starting PG.

[@biggie6181]

WTF

[@srtghost3842]

Lebron needs to be the starting PG If the lakers end up trading D-Lo. I would try trading him for a foward who can shoot, lauri markkanen or Jermai Grant.

[@luisdejesus1836]

Jovan buha buha good to see again my friend puerto rico in the house we lose murray hes the want the i want i hope the make changes because the sucks have i good day my friend

[@themagnificentKK]

Dwight Howard we need u again !!!!😅

[@javeonstill8753]

They just need 2 bigs and 2 3&d wings that can shoot and score in all 3 levels . Trade Jhs for Walker Kessler , sign Jonas Valancciunas , Trade D’lo for Cam Johnson , trade Gabe Vincent for Dorian Finney Smith

[@cyberbajan]

Do you know who else was bad in the playoff? Who else got targeted on defense? AUSTIN REAVES!! DLO was clearly the 3rd best player on last season's team (that includes Reaves) but we are targeting DLO. If Cam Reddish opts in this the sane team as last year. That is the real problem.

[@benc4968]

Austin actually played good defense against Murray.

[@jakie_dupree]

LAKERS BACK COURT WILL BE DLO & KLAY 🎯💯🔥🔥🔥

[@XxOM3GA75xX]

They have 24 hours to make a trade cuz free agency or they wont have a roster spot for a free agent

[@beyondthenumberspod]

lakers should make a significant offer for anferenee simons 😮

[@No-More-Idols]

Not bad!

[@beyondthenumberspod]

@@No-More-Idols fck it y not 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@gilbertmyles2052]

Trade Austin Vandy Cam and D lo..all avg. Ni D And not going to improve much.. and Austin needs to get in the weight room lol

[@jameschan9634]

Never should have acquired him in the first place. He needs to go, but, knowing Laker Management, they won't get crahp for him.

[@soirr79]

Just get a bruising center and we good

[@andrewvizcaino7132]

Keep dlo ! I think jj can turn him into a dawg

[@themagnificentKK]

Klay Thompson come get a ring with the Lakers

[@Nalydoac]

Christian Wood is not a Center. He's barely a 4

[@TheSaifcharania]

Where the BUHA BUHA eccentric intro?

[@dex3779]

Lakers need to trade DLo and Hayes. We need a better center

[@hit_stick_stepper]

There really going to run it back.... this ish is wild 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@One_Black_Panther]

This organization is really trash. AD & Bron shouldn't waste anymore time there. They're better off going somewhere else

[@musestarlight1]

Your mom

[@thumpthumptv1651]

They can still trade him, they didn’t sign him to an extension. Having that salary is great and avoids having to include other assets.

[@myselfandeye3884]

Welcome to the LeBron clownshow. We hired a narcissistic coach with 0 experience just because he is friends with LeBron, then we drafted his son and we're going to give a 39 year old a three year max extension. According to LeBron fans we should be excited about that. We're not going anywhere the next 5 to 10 years.

[@AndreP1524]

And you know that because? Man y’all some damn ungrateful ass cry babies, Worst fan base in sports

[@wardakaiser5861]

Hertenstein please 🙏

[@No-More-Idols]

I think the big they get has to be able to shoot from the perimeter because AD short doesn’t anymore. Wendell Carter.

[@tonyyayo2115]

DLo is no Austin Reaves

[@riskeyrico6083]

We were 16-7 with The starting lineup we should’ve used from the start. Thats a 60 win pace over 82 games. Coaching was our clear downfall not the roster construction. I don’t hate the idea of running it back

[@OvertIntelligence]

I say they keep dlo and work a sign and trade with the Bulls for Derozan and Drummond. Dlo, Reaves, Derozan, Bron, AD to me is a solid lineup to have under JJ. It's offers a powerful offense. Imagine Derozan in the half court driving and working the midrange. He can run pick and roll with AD. Pick and pop with AD. He is deadly in the midrange. Dlo, Reaves, and Bron can space the floor. Imagine kicking out to Dlo for open threes. Or Reaves and Lebron for open threes or they can attack close outs. Also, imagine how valuable Derozan would be in 4th quarters with his ability to attack the basket and get to the cup or hit cluch mid range shots...His ability to handle the ball and pass is underrated. He is a 6 time allstar that doesn't shrink in the playoffs. He would unlock playoff Dlo and Reaves as they will no longer have to compete for being the 3rd option as they would now be competing for being the 4th option night in and night out...Derozan is exactly who we need to compete for a chip. Also, Drummond would be of great help as can help take the load off AD and so he can be go into the playoffs more healthy...

[@wgs5379]

I don’t think that’s possible since they are now a second apron team now.

[@raywhitehurst4509]

They are a first apron cap team they can’t sign and trade any players

[@CarlosGutierrez-qw6pr]

Bro so the Lakers shouldn't play defense then 😭😭

[@Antwan-kd8qg]

@@OvertIntelligence no get rid of Reaves now DeMar and dlo might work because can defend and score

[@myselfandeye3884]

That starting line up will have us battling for a play in spot just like we've been doing for years now. And Derozan needs interior space because he's not a shooter so does LeBron and AD, who do you think they are going to give that space too? We're pandering to a 39 year old's clownshow. We're not going anywhere in the next 5 to 10 years.

[@Hashirimran123]

its so obvious how much this man dont like dlo.... so so sad to see

[@MennisProductions]

Man I'm only trading him for a home run and that's it. Dejounte trade wouldn't have even cut it tbh I'm glad he's off the table. Everyone acting like DLo is trash. He is actually a great fit for this team

[@benjllamera2274]

There were games last season that we surely lose if it wasn't for D'Lo. He just needs to be consistent

[@MennisProductions]

@benjllamera2274 he even had decent games against the Nuggets but all Lakers fans remember are the bad ones and the whole season he had which was great goes out the window

[@donsportstv1532]

for the regular season dlo is for the playoffs hes TRASH so trade him asap!!!

[@RK-ck6pl]

After you watch basketball a few more years you'll understand how the playoffs work. you can't have defensive liabilities on the court or you will lose. He's a defensive liability and his offense completely disappears in the playoffs making him less than worthless.

[@soymajia]

I'm sure LeBron will stay with the Lakers now that Ronny is on the team. It would be very interesting if he doesn't. Kinda like, ok my boy is set, I can retire. JK

[@tjboxingsports3584]

KEEP D-LO!! Run it back with a healthy team.

[@c-red4637]

dlo giving me more reasons not to like him, they better trade him or its just a repeat of the last 2yrs, a no show in the playoffs.

[@kyleflores4555]

early asf

[@paulfritsch672]

Omg...all you people who think we should bring dlo back are delusional. Our defense was horrible last year with him and ar as point of attack defenders. We will literally be the worst defense in the league.

[@gregorybrown5419]

I don't have no confidence in Pelinka to pull off any trades. Let alone right trades! Pelinka as a VP, GM ain't it

[@michaelslaughter54]

Trade for Edey

[@Cahluvca]

Can he learn to play defense...

[@jeremyking9094]

Agreed based on play Keep Hayes trade Wood

[@wmcuccia1356]

Lebron said last year Bronny could start right then and was better than the players they had. Why doesn't Bronny start? Oh yeah he sucks.

[@gregorybrown5419]

Pelinka make excuses why he can't pull off trades. Why other teams can

[@YoungPadawan-wi3jg]

Pelinka is a terrible gm! He signed bronny and now he can sell tickets by having the james family, this gm dont wanna win and its disgusting! I dont believe they will move dlo! Theyll have excuses and excuses!

[@steve13191]

lmao lebron fangirls couldnt face the fact that lebron ruins everything he touches. including your throat that you been using on his schlong every day 😂

[@bobongpeenoise2826]

Another year of Christie's wasted talent... trade Dlo for a bag of chips

[@RK-ck6pl]

If max wants to play he better practice harder because he hasn't progressed at all.

[@anthonysalerno99]

For now I would do an Utah trade to get Sexton,Kessler . Send Rui,Gabe,JHS, take the protection off the 2027 pick and send a 2029 first. If you move on from D’Lo you need to replace his scoring

[@biggie6181]

Austin Reaves is the one that needs to Go

[@romeosira3665]

Let cam walk

[@edilbertbuot2393]

lauri for d'lo and hyse

[@oommaarriiss]

Pelinka gotta go, excuses and excuses

[@gregorybrown5419]

You got ppl like this buha dude. Reaves fanboy

[@eddiepo6924]

Because AR is a really good role player on a good contract. And he is a good fit next to AD and Lebron. Has a decent IQ. Where's your IQ?

[@gregorybrown5419]

@eddiepo6924 Is he a good fit to win a championship as a starter? No... Was he good enough on D? No... Simple he a good role player yes. We need 2-way players not 1 way players. That's the problem. Reaves get cooked, barbecue, fried on D! 2-way players is the way. So we're is your IQ?? Chump

[@javeonstill8753]

Bring Kyle Kuzma back yessir

[@whenever500]

Kuzma sucks,

[@javeonstill8753]

@@whenever500 you trippin he just not on a contender but he’s a way better scorer and defender then Rui

[@sheenbreva8524]

Hi... @jovanbuha just my thought but could you move further back from the camera... It feels like you are lecturing me rather than having a conversation with me...

[@No-More-Idols]

Bro, what??? 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@urbitobaguio8533]

Russel trade...👎👎👎

[@myselfandeye3884]

For what or who? Who are we going to trade him for that will move the needle? We've become LeBron's clownshow and apparently according to his fans and media mouthpieces we should be excited that we have a narcissistic coach with 0 experience, his son on his clownshow and him getting a three year max extension (let's not act like he's not getting it or he is taking a pay cut).

[@gregorybrown5419]

Lakers organization a f joke

[@Jacester1324]

17 championships

[@gregorybrown5419]

@Jacester1324 Past success! Yeah let's bank on past success.

[@Jacester1324]

@@gregorybrown5419 we had success last year. Now we have a better coach than ham I hope. Potential is here

[@gregorybrown5419]

Lakers need to upgrade they roster bruh. A coach is useless without upgrade on roster.

[@gregorybrown5419]

@@Jacester1324 Just u saying hope! Is enough for me

[@gregorybrown5419]

Pelinka do your f job.

[@kenny2553]

Kuzma, let's get him back home